Corset.



P-ATENTED DEC. 3, 1907. U. H. WILLIAMS.'

CORSET. APPLICATION rum) DEO.14. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Witnesses 1n: NORRIS PETERS co, wAsHmmarv. 0. c4

PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

G. H. WILLIAMS. v

CORSET, APPLICATION FILED DEO.14,' 1906. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, Witnesses THE NORRIS PETERS cm, vmsmucron, o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. WILLIAMS, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO PURITAN CORSET COMPANY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

CORSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907;

Application filed December 14:. 1906- Serial No. 347.879.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. WIL- LIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in corsets.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved corset such as are commonly designated straight front corsets; second, to provide an improved corset in which the pressure upon the abdomen is removed or reduced when the wearer is sitting; third, to provide an improved corset in which the pressure upon the abdomen is directed so as to produce the least discomfort and the least injurious effect upon the wearer; fourth, to produce an improved combination corset and hose-supporter.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure containing the features of .my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved corset, the same being shown upon a figure in a standing position. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, the same being shown on a figure in a sitting position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, showing structural details. Fig. 4 is a detail section showing details of connecting means for the contracting lacing cords 8 to the garment attaching straps 11 therefor. Fig. 5 is a detail showing a modified form of connecting the contracting cords to the attaching straps.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the corset 1 is provided with front portions 2 and hip portions 8, the structure illustrated being what is commonly designated as an eXtension hip and front corset.

Between the front and hip portions are gorelike contractible portions 4. On the front portions are flaps 5 having stiffening strips 6 at their edges with eyelets 9 therein. The strips 6 are preferably stiffening strips so that they hold the eyelets in proper spaced relation. On the hip portions are similar strips 7, which are also provided with eyelets 9. These strips are connected by lacing or contracting cords 8 so arranged that when stress is applied thereto the front portions of the corset are drawn inwardly. The contracting cords are preferably laced back and forth through the eyelets in the strips 6 and 7 and through the eyelets 12 in the upper ends 13 of the attaching straps 11. The advantage of thus lacing the cords is that they automatically adjust themselves so that no particular care is required in attaching them.

In the structure shown I have illustrated four lacings, although it is evident that any desired number may be used. I find, however, that four lacings as illustrated produce very satisfactory results.

The ends of the cords are preferably se- 7 cured to the strap 11 by the buckles 14, the same being the ordinary suspender or hose supporter buckles, the ends of the cords having knots therein arranged to be engaged by the buckles. It is obvious, however, that other means may be provided for attaching with entirely satisfactory results.

The attaching straps 11 are preferably provided with suitable engaging devices 15 for securing them to the hose. It is evident that they may be secured to any part of the wearing apparelwhich would produce sufficient stress or pull on the cords. I find, however, that to attach them to the hose is very satisfactory, and it produces no discomfort to the wearer. In thestructure illustrated additional hose supporting straps 16 and 17 are provided, the straps 16 depending from the front portions 2 of the corset and straps 17 from the hip portions. of the straps 16 and 17 serves to hold the front and hip portions in place so that they are not likely to become disarranged.

I preferably provide the gore or collapsible portions of the corsets with central ver- This arrangement i tically arranged stays 8, which prevent the same drawing up in collapsing. This, however, 1s not an essential. The straps 6 and 7 also tend to hold the parts in proper position in collapsing.

When the contracting cords are formed of individual strands, as shown in Fig. 5 instead of being in one continuous piece and lacing back and forth, the eyelets are omitted from the strip 6 or 7. It is obvious that the cords may be attached to the other strip by any suitable means, the eyelets being, how ever, provided on account of their convenience in manufacture and assembling the cords therethrough.

By arranging the parts as I have illustrated and described, I secure a corset in which sufficient pressure is produced on the "abdomen not only to assist in holding it in ward, but also acting as a reminder to the wearer to hold the body in proper position.

When the wearer is in a sitting position the strain on the lacing cords is relieved so that there is practically no pressure on the abdomen, which is a very desirable feature, as there is a tendency for the hips and abdomen to expand when a person sits, which in the ordinary form of laced corsets produces additional stress or strain.

Another advantage of my construction is that there is no tendency for the corset to draw the sides of the abdomen toward the front or center. On the contrary, the pressure is inward and upward. I

I have illustrated and described my improved corset in detail in the form preferred by me on account of structural simplicity and convenience in use. I am, however, aware that it may be very greatly varied in structural details without departing from my invention as I desire to claim the same specifically as well as broadly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A corset, provided with hip and front portions; collapsible portions arranged between the said hip and front portions; cen tral vertically arranged stiffening strips for said collapsible portions; flaps connected to said front portions; stiffening strips having eyelets therein arranged at the edges of said flaps; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected at their rear edges to'said hip portions; hose-supporting straps having eyelets at the upper ends thereof; and cords laced through said eyelets in said stiffening strips and in said hose-supporting straps.

2. A corset, provided with hip and front portions; flaps connected to said front portions stiffening strips having eyelets therein arranged at the edges of said flaps; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected at their rear edges to said hip portions; hosesupporting straps having eyelets in the upper ends thereof; and cords laced through said eyelets in said stiflening strips and in said hose-supporting straps.

3. A corset provided with hip and front portions; collapsible portions arranged between the said hip and front portions; central vertically arranged stiffening strips for said collapsible portions; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected to said front portions; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected to said hip portions; attaching straps having eyelets therein; and cords laced through said eyelets in said strips and in said attaching straps, said attaching I straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

4, A corset provided with hip and front portions; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected to said front portions; stiffening strips having eyelets therein connected to said hip portions; attaching straps having eyelets therein; and cords laced through said eyelets in said strips and in said attaching straps, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

5. A corset provided with hip and front portions; collapsible portions arranged between the said hip and front portions; central vertically-arranged stiffeningstrips for said collapsible portions; flaps connected to said front portions; stiffening strips on said flaps; stiffening strips connected to said hip portions; attaching straps; and collapsing cords suitably connected to-said stiffening said attaching straps, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of r the wearer.

6. A corset provided with hip and'front portions; flaps connected to said front portions; stiffening strips on said flaps; stiffening strips connected to said hip portions; attaching straps; and collapsing cords suitablyconnected to said stiffening strips on said hip and front portions and to said attaching straps, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

7. A corset provided with hip and front portions; collapsible portions arranged be tween the said hip and front portions; central vertically-arranged stiflening strips for said collapsible portions; stiffening strips connected to said front portions; stiffening strips connected to said hip portions; attaching straps; and contracting cords suitably connected to said stiffening strips on said hip and front portions and to said attachin straps, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

8. A. corset provided with hip and front portions; collapsible portions arranged between the said hip and front portions; stiffening strips connected to said front portions; stiffening strips, connected to said hip portions; attaching straps; hose supporting straps; and contracting cords suitably connected to said stiffening strips on said hip and front portions and to said hose-supporting straps.

9. A corset provided with hip and front portions; stifienjn strips connected to said front portions; stidening strips connected to said hip portions; attaching straps; and contracting cords suitably connected to said stiffening strips on said hip and front portions and to said attaching straps, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

10. A corset provided with hip'and front portions; contracting cords suitably connected to said hip and front portions; hose-attaching straps to which said contracting cords are connected; and hose-supporting straps depending from the said front and hip portions.

11. A corset provided with hip and front portions; contracting cords suitably connected to said hip and front portions; and attaching straps for said contracting cords, said attaching straps being adapted to be connected to the legs of the wearer.

12. A corset having a contractible portion; a contracting cord therefor; and means for attaching said contracting cord to the legs of the wearer.

13. In a corset provided with a contracting portion, contracting means therefor; and a hose attaching strap connected to said contracting means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES H. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

Girls A. EARL, LULU GREENFIELD. 

